Old School DH bikes

Who prefers rocking old school DH bikes?

The tech today is phenominal, but, the bike is only half the equation. I still rock my 2001 Super 8 and love the looks and compliments I get. It is a boost in ego too when you consistently pass the guys on newer bikes.

I have often thought about going the old school route and restoring older DH bikes with new components instead of buying a new rig. I know its not practical, but the cool factor (for me) is off the charts. Plus, that is the era I grew up in and nothing gets me going like an old Lobo DH or Lawwill Straight 8.

i rode an older style v10 up until this year when i got a wilson (not a brand new one)
but i didnt liek anythign bout the v10 it was clunky heavy and no matter how i played with the suspension tuning i never felt like the rebound was fast enough
i felt liek i was beign held back on that biek since ive got my wilson my riding has improved alot more rapidly then i expected

Every chance I get I take my 11 year old DH bike for a spin. You guys can check my profile for the pics. Even though it's old, it can still rock it!
BTW, op nice bike. I'm a sucker for old bikes, especially the DH ones!

More old schoo love. Me and a friend about to ride Indian Creek in Cuchara, CO. His ride, 1999 M1. Still going strong, but parts are HARD to find when you need to replace something. Photo is from 2008.

I personally think newer is better (as long as it's a solid proven design). I get the antique classic look and if that's why you do it then great. However, if you're putting new components on it, especially fork/shock combo then wouldn't you be able to upgrade to a newer used bike that is lighter with a better geometry for the same cost? As long as you're happy and having fun though power to ya because in the end that's why most of us do this.

I personally think newer is better (as long as it's a solid proven design). I get the antique classic look and if that's why you do it then great. However, if you're putting new components on it, especially fork/shock combo then wouldn't you be able to upgrade to a newer used bike that is lighter with a better geometry for the same cost? As long as you're happy and having fun though power to ya because in the end that's why most of us do this.

I totally agree with you. One of the weakest points of my S8 is its braking. You learn to cope with the brake jack and quirks, but they always catch you off guard when your focus is 20 feet down the trail. Today's DH bikes have nearly eliminated brake jack, allowing you to ride into technical features faster and brake later. You don't have to think as much about how the bike is going to react and you can just go. Plus, considering prices for DH bikes now to back then, you get a lot more bang for your buck today. With what I spent building mine in 2001, I could have a new GT carbon DH or Yeti 303 with change to spare.

I have a large Super 8 frame sitting here in immaculate shape (redesigned swingarm) in need of a rider to bring it back to life. You'd have to be able to source the unique width rear hub it requires (I'll include the quirky brake adapter it requires). This is the pimpin-est of all Super 8s as I had a custom shock shuttle made to accommodate a longer stroke Romic shock and Ti spring (800lb I think) achieving 9" of travel. The frame is perfect and the shock only had 1 season of use. Free to the first person who can pick it up or pay the shipping (approx $60?).

I have a large Super 8 frame sitting here in immaculate shape (redesigned swingarm) in need of a rider to bring it back to life. You'd have to be able to source the unique width rear hub it requires (I'll include the quirky brake adapter it requires). This is the pimpin-est of all Super 8s as I had a custom shock shuttle made to accommodate a longer stroke Romic shock and Ti spring (800lb I think) achieving 9" of travel. The frame is perfect and the shock only had 1 season of use. Free to the first person who can pick it up or pay the shipping (approx $60?).http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/t...t/PA170044.jpg

CRC has Super8 hubs: Hadley Santa Cruz rear hub eventhought on the page it is said to be for V10, BUT the specs are for sure for Super8.

My 2003 M1. The thing still rocks after all these years. It used to black, changed it up about 3 years ago. It is getting hard to get parts for it now days though. I'm getting the 5th "Avalanched" this winter. Hopefully get 2 more years out of it. It's super fast, but I am jonesing for new technology.

Cannondale Super V DH (tried posting one of the Dogbone link Super V's but can't find a good photo)

I missed a ton, but feel free to continue the love!

Here's a picture of my "linked dogbone" version of that DH bike. I think this one was an updated version (2nd edition) of the Fulcrum DH. The one with the crazy drive train & dual BB. It weighs 40#'s. The bike is from '99, the technology is old, but I still take it out every chance I get. I just love ALL old DH bikes. The ones posted here are just beautiful!

I agree. This beast rips. Wish I had the skills to really use it, but I do my best. Its pretty much a brand new frame after the fresh PC and factory rebuild no play at all in the dog bone link ( thanks to Greg at Turnerbikes). I will be riding this turner for a few more years.

at first glance I thought that was the old AMP/Rock Shox hydro-mechanical disc brake! Remember the dual crown Judy DH forks? The dual crown Judy was all the rage and I had to have one (never did get one unfortunately).

Originally Posted by chef kungfu

Here's a picture of my "linked dogbone" version of that DH bike. I think this one was an updated version (2nd edition) of the Fulcrum DH. The one with the crazy drive train & dual BB. It weighs 40#'s. The bike is from '99, the technology is old, but I still take it out every chance I get. I just love ALL old DH bikes. The ones posted here are just beautiful!

I really think this model Cannondale was the turn in suspension performance. I never rode one and KHS ripped off the design but after that the VPP bikes were already in the plans. Then you had Karpiel and Canfield already playing with dual link systems like the Fulcrum.

Some more classic rigs

Karpiel Disco Volante (hasn't changed much over 10 years, this one is an '04)

K2 Animal!!

GT DHi

Out of curiosity, does anyone know the Mongoose DH bike from the late '90's? It had a large "monocoque-ish" downtube and a basic 4 bar rear end. I had almost bought one in 1999 with a boxxer on it. I will never forget that bike because it was the first real DH bike I had ever set my eyes on, and rode.

I think that was another Intense Uzzi DH/M1 variant painted for another company. There were a few years there that several other companies were racing and selling Intenses.

I know which bike you are talking about. It was the Intense M1, and I believe it was Eric Carter that was riding it at the time.

The Mongoose I am talking about was before that. I believe it was based on the Mongoose VRS. It was similar to this but a little beefier. It may have actually been a VRS. I just remember looking at it and riding it and it was nothing like I had ever seen or felt before!

Wow some of these bike bring back some memories of all the bikes that i wanted to build when i was 15 lol.

The Super 8 I ride now was my dream bike when I was 16. I wanted the Scuba Yellow but the opportunity arose to purchase this bike. I remember making a dream wishlist in one of my computer classes and it was built to the list. White Bros. DH3, Purple Hayes, Kooka stem and all. Some drivetrain components have changed through the years, but mostly remains unchanged. I don't ever think I will let it go because it is my dream rig.